L'IMMUNITÉ DANS LES INFECTIONS STAPHYLOCOCCIQUES : 1. ACTION DE L'ANTITOXINE CONTRE UNE INFECTION BACTÉRIENNE EXPÉRIMENTALE

Abstract

Using the intracerebral route in mice immunized with commercial antitoxin, complete or significant protection was obtained for the first time at will against lethal doses of living staphylococci. The protection was effective against the five staphylococcus strains used. The mechanism of this experimental infection was partially studied in normal and in immunized mice by counting at variable intervals the living bacteria at the inoculation point (brain) and in the blood. A moderate bacteraemia was present immediately after the inoculation, decreased later to few bacteria per drop of blood, and eventually disappeared. This bacteraemia was not influenced by the presence of the antitoxin. At the inoculation point, a marked decrease in the number of staphylococci was evident immediately after the injection of the bacteria, and one hour later. The antitoxin had no appreciable effect on this phenomenon. The local multiplication following the above mentioned decrease in the number of staphylococci was moderate and was not checked by the antitoxin. Mortality in unprotected animals seems to be caused by staphylococcal toxins liberated in greater quantity by the increased number of living staphylococci found about the fourth hour after inoculation.